So many of us are in the prime transitional season of “What’s next?” right now.

If you just graduated high school, what’s next? Where are you going to college? What are you studying? Or are you taking a year off? Or entering right into the workforce?

If you just graduated college, what’s next? Did you find a job yet? How’s your resume look? Do you actually know what you want to do with that degree? How are you going to start paying off those intimidating student loans?

If you’re a teacher, like me, and school’s out for the summer, what’s next? Are you getting a summer job? Do you have vacation plans? Will you be working in your classroom over the summer? How are you going to fill all that extra free time?

Or maybe you’re transitioning jobs, or starting up something on the side, or figuring out which direction a relationship should take. What’s next?

Does it ever feel like the whole world is screaming these questions at you? Like you just can’t catch a break?

If any of this resonates with you, keep reading. I’ve got some encouragement for you.

Because guess what, friend? When Jesus was walking with us on this earth, he didn’t spend his time talking about which job we should take. He didn’t preach about what school we should go to, or where we should move, or what we should do for the summer. Jesus didn’t dwell on what’s next.

Jesus talked about how we should live and how we should love.

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he quoted from the commandments given by God in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19: “‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’”

Jesus talked about loving your neighbor and your enemy, about serving the needy in secret, about walking on the narrow path that isn’t chosen by many, about living in prayer and humility and sincerity. When it comes to knowing the Father more, Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Jesus didn’t say, “You better figure out what I have planned for you next soon, or you’re going to be lost forever.”

Of course he didn’t say that. In fact, Jesus is the one who spent a big chunk of his most famous sermon talking about why we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow. He’s the one who said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

But it sure can feel that way sometimes with all the pressure we feel during these times of transition, can’t it? It sure can seem like the people around us, even in Christian circles, are putting on an immense amount of pressure for us to “find our calling.”

The problem is, “calling” and “purpose” aren’t about a specific career path. The calling of a Christian is to love God, and to love others. The calling of a Christian is “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

So sweet friend, if you’re wondering what’s next, stop worrying about tomorrow. Seek first God’s kingdom. Seek the face of Jesus. Practice love.

And the other things? With prayer and time, God will help bring them into place in your life, for the unique gifts He’s given you.

And never forget… you are onederfully created.

Love,
Becca